Tag: KERALA

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Kerala

Former Kerala DGP Sreelekha slams police for inaction

On April 14, she got a call stating that her packet is ready for delivery and since it is in Covid times, she was asked to keep the cash ready at the gate of her residence…reports Asian Lite News.

R. Sreelekha, the first woman to become Director General of Police in Kerala in June last year and subsequently retiring in December, on Wednesday aired her displeasure and sadness on how a complaint of hers went unnoticed and unheard for two weeks this month.

Sreelekha gave a detailed account of the incident on her Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/Sreelekhaips

Stressing that until four months back she was part of the Kerala Police and retired as DGP, she said: “Despite that, even after two weeks of informing over telephone about on how I was cheated by an online company and also sending a complaint to the Museum Police Station, no action came and feeling deeply sad, I am writing it in my Facebook.

Sreelekha said that on April 6, she had placed an online order for a Bluetooth earphone.

On April 14, she got a call stating that her packet is ready for delivery and since it is in Covid times, she was asked to keep the cash ready at the gate of her residence.

The packet was subsequently handed over to her aide, as she was recovering from a surgery.

“As soon as I got the packet, I knew it was a fraud and when I opened it, I saw an old broken earphone. I immediately called back on the number I got for the delivery call. The person said, ‘you can go and give a complaint to the police, but you are not going to get the money back’. I immediately called up the Museum Police station and the officer said he was busy with some big case. Later he called me and heard my complaint and soon I sent my complaint through the e-mail. There was no response from the police for two weeks,” wrote Sreelekha.

(ANI)

She added that lot of her friends and relatives called her up to seek her help to get the police to act.

“Will anyone believe or understand when I say that my own complaint is not being heard. In the past I have had similar experiences from this very same police station when I raised three complaints.

“Today after I put up this Facebook post, I got a call from the Museum Police official and he said they have not got my e-mail complaint and he gave me a new id and I sent it,” she posted.

Sreelekha concluded with a warning to be wary of the website of ‘grimsonz’ and Ekart – the delivery firm and asks all to do online purchases using the cash on delivery option as they can check before paying.

Also Read-Highway robbery triggers political storm in Kerala

Read More-Kerala on alert after UK, S.African variants found

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Arts & Culture Kerala

‘Lokame Tharavadu’ a shot in the arm for artists

Lokame Tharavadu

The show curated by artist and Kochi Biennale Foundation president Bose Krishnamachari features the works of 267 artists…reports Asian Lite News

Lokame Tharavadu’ a contemporary art show currently on at Alappuzha at multiple heritage venues, has come as a shot in the arm for the artistic community, especially with the raging pandemic which left their artistic talent jaded.

The show curated by artist and Kochi Biennale Foundation president Bose Krishnamachari features the works of 267 artists who trace their roots to Kerala and by scale is considered to be the biggest art event to be held in India.

The individual art works number well over 3000, presenting a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts and connoisseurs to experience the richness and diversity of the art of contemporary Malayali artists.

With the state going through very difficult times on account of the surging Covid cases, extreme caution is being taken at the event which includes registration at the Covid-19 Jagratha portal of the state government and availing passes only after uploading a RT-PCR negative certificate or Covid-19 vaccination proof.


“‘Lokame Tharavadu’ has a staggering number of highly talented and dedicated artists, some of them with out of the box thinking,” says Radha Gomaty, a participating artist in the show.

Many of these artists, she said, are not on the gallery grid and often miss out on any kind of security or standard of life from their art, and have to keep doing other things to make ends meet.

“To learn that they continue in their dedicated pursuit of art despite these odds is something that is amazing. There might be historical, cultural reasons that contributed to this kind of flourishing number of practitioners,” said Gomaty.

Also read:Kashmir Fashion Breaks the Jinx

T R Upendranath, another artist, said he was sceptical of the show initially.

“But when I made a visit, my perception changed altogether. The way the works have been displayed and the effort that has gone behind it felt like magic to me. The awareness that so many artists are working in different styles was inspiring and some of the works are enough to invoke a sense of jealousy,” said Upendranath, who is exhibiting a series of drawings in the show.

He feels that anyone from outside the state who visits the show would be stunned by its range and scale.

“I am glad that an attempt has been made to bring as many people as possible under one umbrella. I do hope that this process goes on and helps create a permanent platform that can enable a global appreciation of what Malayali artists have been doing,” said Gomaty and praised the efforts of Bose who has included 56 women artistes.

“I am sure this show will create powerful ripples and set the bar high for the future growth of art in the state. I feel a tinge of sadness that it’s happening when the pandemic situation has again turned worse but the message of the show, The World Is One Family, seems more relevant than ever,” said Manoj Vyloor, a participating artist and principal, Fine Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Also read:Highway robbery triggers political storm in Kerala


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COVID-19 Kerala

Kerala on alert after UK, S.African variants found

21,890 people tested Covid positive after 96,398 samples were sent for testing and as a result, the total active cases in the state have reached 2,32,812 – the highest-ever so far….reports Asian Lite News

 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged people to maintain absolute caution as variants of the UK and South African virus have been identified in the state.

“We have been told that the UK and South African variant virus have been reported in April. Of the total cases now detected, 40 per cent are from these variants which includes 30 per cent of the UK strain, while 7 per cent is the double mutant strain and 2 per cent is the one from South Africa,” he said after an all-party meeting here.

On Monday, 21,890 people tested Covid positive after 96,398 samples were sent for testing and as a result, the total active cases in the state have reached 2,32,812 – the highest-ever so far.

“Since the situation is serious, the all-party meeting decided to ensure that across the state, all public places like gymnasium, bars, clubs, pools, indoor stadiums and movie halls should close down. The number of people attending marriages should not exceed 50 and for funerals not more than 20. At no cost should there be any laxity on the part of people as things are grave,” said Vijayan.


“We are told that there is going to be a shortage of blood and hence we request all those below 45 to see if blood can be donated. We say this because from May 1, those in the age 18 to 45 will also be eligible to take vaccines. According to medical experts, those who take the vaccines can donate blood only after 30 days and hence, we request as many such people to donate blood and then take the vaccine,” he added.

Vijayan pointed out that the situation is so grave because soon after the local body polls in December last year the daily number of cases reached 2,000 and the test positivity rate reached 11 per cent.

Also read:Kerala steps up oxygen production amid raging crisis

“In March, the TPR came down below 3 per cent, but things went haywire and now the TPR stands in the range of 20 per cent. We have decided to open a control room for migrant workers and they are best advised to be where they are,” he said.

On vaccinations so far, he said so far 57.58 lakh people have taken the first dose, while 10.39 lakh have taken both the doses.

“Now, we have a problem as our request to the Centre to supply us another 50 lakh doses is yet to receive a response. We will continue to ask the Centre, even as we are making all efforts to procure the vaccines as asked by the Centre from the manufacturers,” said Vijayan.

On Monday, a mammoth crowd had gathered at a state-run vaccination camp in the capital city, throwing all the mandatory social distancing protocols to the winds.

“It has now come to a stage that these vaccination centres will turn into Covid distribution centres, as such was the crowd… it was absolute mayhem,” said an angry citizen who was waiting for long.

But authorities said that every person was given a time and the rush took place because people turned up much before their allotted time.

Among the other things that were discussed at the all-party meeting include a wait and watch policy with the present protocols which include the present night curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. There was also consensus on continuing with the semi-lockdown protocols that came into force every Saturday and Sunday, when only shops selling essential items will open and all others will remain closed, besides private transport vehicles also will not be allowed and all have to remain indoors.

Also it has been decided that there will be no celebrations on May 2, which is the counting day.

“Only officials, representatives of the candidates and the media will be allowed at counting centre and all will have to produce a RTPCR test result or should have taken both the doses of vaccine,” added Vijayan.

Also read:Highway robbery triggers political storm in Kerala


Categories
India News Kerala

Highway robbery triggers political storm in Kerala

He also alleged that the BJP is responsible for “Hawala” network and added that this was the first time such a huge money transfer has taken place in the state…reports Asian Lite News.

The Kerala unit of the BJP is in a tight spot over allegations of a huge amount being transported from Kozhikode in north Kerala to Ernakulam allegedly for distribution to the party candidates for the April 6 Assembly election being waylaid and robbed on April 3.

A person has filed a complaint before the Thrissur rural police that an amount of Rs 25 lakh which he was carrying in his vehicle to pay advance money for a land transaction was robbed from him on the Thrissur-Kodakara highway.

CPI-M’s acting Secretary and convenor of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), A. Vijayaraghavan, however, alleged that this money was “Hawala” money being used for the BJP to fund its electioneering and the money was meant for party candidates. He called upon the Election Commission to conduct a detailed investigation into the complaint and to bring to book those responsible for the deal.

Bihar BJP workers .

He also alleged that the BJP is responsible for “Hawala” network and added that this was the first time such a huge money transfer has taken place in the state.

Vijayaraghavan alleged that an amount of Rs 3.5 crore was allegedly swindled and that senior state leaders of the BJP were behind the deal.

Kerala Police has constituted a team led by Chalakkudy DSP, Jijimon to investigate the case with Thrissur’s Superintendent of Police, Rural, Poonkuzhali supervising the investigation. Police have already recorded the statement of the driver of the car, Shajeer, who has deposed that three cars had followed his vehicle, stopped and overpowered him, and fled with the money. However, police sources did not reveal the details of what was deposed by the driver.

There are allegations that the senior BJP leaders in Thrissur district and the state leadership of the party knows about the incident. Police sources revealed that the team pursuing the case has already zeroed in on a few groups in Kannur district and some nefarious elements in Thrissur itself to be behind the direct action.
Kerala BJP is already in a major group war with Union Minister and former party state President V. Muraleedharan leading a group and party Vice President Shobha Surendran and former state President P.K. Krishnadas leading the other faction.

With the post of Union Minister, Muraleedharan has been trying to cut to size his rival leaders in the party and Shobha Surendran who was the state General Secretary and core committee member was demoted to the post of state vice president ever since Muraleedharan’s aide K. Surendran became the state chief.

The present allegation of huge money being swindled and that BJP leaders were responsible for this is seen as a reflection of the intense group rivalry taking place in state BJP and the state RSS leadership seems to be mere spectators.

Also Read-Kerala repeats calls for free vaccines

Read More-Kerala steps up oxygen production amid raging crisis

Categories
COVID-19 Kerala

Vijayan asks pvt hospitals to reserve 25% beds for Covid patients

As many as 26,685 people tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Saturday…reports Asian Lite News.

With Covid-19 cases continuing to rise in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday chaired a meeting with the private hospitals and asked them to allocate 25 per cent of the total beds for Covid patients.

As many as 26,685 people tested positive for coronavirus in the state on Saturday.

“Even though cases are on the rise in Kerala, there need not be a worry like what is seen in north India. As a precautionary step, held a meeting with the private sector hospitals who have pledged full support.

“We have asked them to ensure that all the ICU beds and the ventilators are checked and kept ready,” Vijayan told the media here.

The state’s positive cases stand at 1,98,576.


A view inside the 101-bed kidney dialysis facility at Gurdwara Bala Sahib Hospital Complex launched by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, at Sarai Kale Khan, on March 10, 2021 in New Delhi on IndiaAstraZeneca vaccine. (Pallav Paliwal)

“Absolute caution has to be maintained by all, if things go out of the hand it could go beyond our reach. The two-day lockdown protocols in the state from Saturday have been getting a good response, as by and large people have remained indoors,” added Vijayan.

He again reiterated that the Centre should reconsider its vaccine policy and ensure that it is being provided free of cost.

“The new rate for Covishield vaccine in the private sector is Rs 600, which by far is the highest priced in the whole world. The state has to pay Serum Institute (SII) Rs 400, which also is high priced, while this has been given to other countries at a lower price than this.

“What we are told is this company is making a profit of Rs 150 per dose. These rates are not fair priced and again I have written to the PM Narendra Modi,” said Vijayan.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the response of the people to contribute to the CMDR Fund to buy vaccines has been really encouraging and on Saturday alone Rs 1.15 crore came in.

“At the moment we are not worried about the oxygen stock and we feel we need not be too much concerned about it. We have asked the expert committee to take the call on how best we can help states which are running short of oxygen,” Vijayan added.

Also Read-LDF, UDF claim they will form govt in Kerala

Read More-Kerala repeats calls for free vaccines

Categories
Kerala

LDF, UDF claim they will form govt in Kerala

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala is more than confident that, the days of Vijayan are numbered and its they who will form the next government in Kerala…reports Asian Lite News.

The polls to elect the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly were over on April 6 and though none has a clue of what’s in store for them, the two traditional political rivals have started to identify the best 20 state cabinet ministers.

For the BJP-led NDA, which opened its account in the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly and won just one seat in the 2016 polls, the entire top brass of the party is hopeful of bettering its performance, while a few pre-poll surveys and the ruling Left have said the account that they opened last time will be closed this time.

While the ruling Left led by its captain Pinarayi Vijayan is expecting to rewrite political history in the state by becoming the first to retain power, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala is more than confident that, the days of Vijayan are numbered and its they who will form the next government in Kerala.

Bihar BJP workers .

To start with, while there is no confusion on who will be leading the Left, if it retains power as there was only one captain and that was Pinarayi Vijayan, but in the Congress-led UDF, things are not that easy as Chennithala will have to fight it out with two time former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said that in the Congress the norm is, if there is a contest, the elected Congress party legislators will select their leader and the final call will be taken by the party high command.

“Chandy has always been a winner and if he decides to contest, then Chennithala will definitely lose. Chandy for certain has more acceptability than Chennithala with the allies. Chandy will step in only if he is 100 per cent sure that he has more legislators who will raise their hands for him. If by any chance he does not contest, then it’s certain it would be Chennithala,” said the media critic.

“Then comes the question — if K. Muraleedharan, a sitting Lok Sabha member who was brought to contest from Nemom seat in the state capital to prevent the BJP from retaining its only seat, wins, and should the UDF form the government, he is definitely going to get the Home Minister portfolio, as Chennithala was later inducted into the Chandy cabinet, as Home Minister during Chandy’s second term (2011-16),” added the critic.

With regard to the cabinet ministers, already the name of Congress veteran, V.D. Satheeshan as Finance Minister has come up and others include Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, K. Sivadasan Nair and Bindhu Krishna.

If Vijayan gets a second term, the CPI-M will have to find replacements for veterans like Thomas Issac, A.K. Balan, G. Sudhakaran, C. Raveendranath, who failed to get a seat.

Among the names doing the rounds include former Rajya Sabha members K.N. Balagopal, P. Rajeev and the son-in-law of Vijayan- Mohammed Riyaz.

Like in the outgoing government, should the Left return, it’s a foregone conclusion that K.K. Shailaja will continue to be the Health Minister.

Also Read-Equitable access to vaccines critical, says Jaishankar

Read More-Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tests Covid-19 positive

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India News Kerala UK News

Academic youth guidance workshop conducted by GMMHC youth

Participants attended the youth guidance workshop from different parts of Greater Manchester and from diverse backgrounds, reports Rahul Laud 

The Greater Manchester Malayalee Hindu Community (GMMHC) Youth team organised an academic youth guidance virtual workshop that was held on the 5th April 2021.

The event mobilised approximately 85 zoom participants and more than 20 participants on the Facebook live. Participants attended from different parts of Greater Manchester and from diverse backgrounds.

The event was organised and delivered without any technical glitches and hindrances. The guest speakers were highly experienced teachers and exceptionally talented and intelligent young students from Universities. Their speech and presentation were meticulous, excellent quality and it benefitted many young students who are embarking on their journey of choosing their careers.

 The event had the Apprenticeship Programme Manager of Barclays Bank who provided tips and advice for applications. Following the success of thisevent the organisers were encouraged to organise more to benefit the wider community.

The organisers believe ”in building strong communities by working together.” ”This was a much needed event as the COVID pandemic had a toll on us and the students faced the wrath and difficulties in    choosing their learning and career path.” said the organisers .

This selfless work and contribution to society by the the presenters and organisers – Poornima Geemon, Akhila Muthuswamy, Sindhu Unni and Girija Menon was acknowledged by the community. The organisers and presenters were fully geared up with appropriate speeches, slides and presentation to make it professional and top class event.

Categories
India News Kerala

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tests Covid-19 positive

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tested Covid-19 positive on Thursday, days after his daughter Veena had tested positive for Covid-19.

The CM is stable ,asymptomatic and is not having any other major health issues at present,the Times of India reported.

He will be shifted to the Kozhikode Medical college soon

CM has taken his first Covid jab on March 3.

Meanwhile, with the Covid test positivity ratio in Kerala climbing to above 5 per cent, a high-level meeting held here on Wednesday decided to tighten Covid protocols with immediate effect.

The decision came as it was found that 3,502 people on Wednesday had tested positive from 60,554 samples tested in the past 24 hours.

Across the state, there are now 31,493 Covid positive patients while 11,08,078 people have been cured so far.

Also read:Sabarimala, the most discussed election topic in Kerala

Categories
India News Kerala

Sabarimala, the most discussed election topic in Kerala

It was in 2018 that the apex court ruled that the temple should be open to all women irrespective of the age group as until then the temple tradition was that no women in the age group 10 to 50 be allowed entry…reports Asian Lite News.

‘Sabarimala’ is always a prime concern of all political parties in Kerala ahead of the ongoing assembly election in Kerala. The controversy over the breaking of the Sabarimala temple’s culture and tradition continues to rage and is even now the most discussed election issue in Kerala as seen from the statements of various top political leaders, who came to cast their votes on Tuesday.

The Sabarimala temple issue was raised by Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of the powerful Hindu Nair community’s social and cultural organisation — Nair Service Society.

Soon after casting his vote at Changnacherry in Kottayam district, Nair said what he could sense is that the people in the state want a change in governance and want an outfit which will uphold social justice and secular credentials.

“The Sabarimala temple issue continues to rage as believers are angry,” said Nair.

It was in 2018 that the apex court ruled that the temple should be open to all women irrespective of the age group as until then the temple tradition was that no women in the age group 10 to 50 be allowed entry.

Following the verdict, the Vijayan-led government floated a renaissance movement, much to the anguish of the believers of Lord Ayyappa, the deity at the Sabarimala temple, and even went to the extent of providing security to two activist women to pray at the temple by providing police security.

The temple town then became a battle ground after believers in large members resisted attempts by the police to take women in the hitherto banned age group.

This temple issue came as a setback for Vijayan in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when he won only one of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala.

Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena monitoring webcasting of polling booths. (Twitter/PIB KERALA)

On Tuesday, after casting his vote at Kannur, Vijayan when asked about Nair’s Sabarimala temple issue said, “it’s not just Ayyappan alone, all God’s are supporting the Left,” said Vijayan, who was accompanied by his wife Kamala Vijayan.

And then came statements from the Congress leaders who condemned this sudden U-turn by Vijayan.

Reacting to Vijayan’s sudden love for Lord Ayyappan, Chennithala laughed and said it was strange to hear an atheist’s sudden love for Ayyappan.

“Vijayan will get the wrath of Ayyappan as he destroyed the sanctity of the famed Sabarimala temple,” said Chennithala.

Two time former Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Vijayan’s statement will be taken with a pinch of salt by the people as it has no sum or substance.

“The first thing he did was to file a fresh affidavit and it was done after withdrawing our affidavit, and it was clear that he was against the existing traditions of the temple.

When the apex court verdict came, he said he will abide by the verdict. Soon he led a renaissance movement and when no women came to visit the temple, police forcefully took two women to the temple and the culture and traditions were broken. And on election day Vijayan has made a huge U-turn and this would be dismissed by every devotee as nothing but a bluff,” said Chandy and added the Congress-led UDF will win a resounding victory.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.Muraleedharan laughed at the statement of Vijayan and said it’s high time that the CPI-M be wound up as their ideology has been thrown out of the window.

Also Read-Sabarimala: Will it, won’t it impact Kerala polls

Read More-SABARIMALA: SC to hear review pleas from Jan 13

Categories
Kerala Politics

Metroman Sreedharan faces tough battle in Palakkad

E sreedharan

The technocrat may garner a few BJP votes, but does not seem to be a winning candidate, reports Ashok parameswar

As the state gears up for polling on April 6, emotions and aspirations remain high. Despite the beating heat, voters in Palakkad are all set to usher in more development to the district. Voters across the constituencies look forward to a complete facelift of the district that has long been to be on a par with other districts of the state.

There are 12 constituencies in Palakkad district, Palakkad, Chittur, Nenmara, Tarur, Mannarkkad, Malampuzha, Alathur, Thrithala, Ottapalam, Pattambi, Kongad,and Shoranur with 73 candidates. According to Palakkad constituency, it was alternately represented by the UDF and the LDF since 1957.

Sitting MLA Shafi Parambil of the UDF who defeated BJP’s Sobha Surendran by 17,483 votes in 2016, is fully confident of representing the constituency for a third term in the legislative assembly and his rival LDF’s Pramod promises to keep up the government’s policies.

Though technocrat E Sreedharan has drawn national attention with his candidature, his political line may not necessarily translate to a win. He may garner a few BJP votes, but does not seem to be a winning candidate. Another determining factor is how the Palakkad municipality, which is being headed by the BJP since 2015 will exercise its vote.

Palakkad stands out as the urban areas align itself to the BJP and beyond it, there’s an unflinching affiliation to the Leftist ideology.

Also read:Ernakulam a key constituency for parties

The UDF might find a challenge in the vote share since the candidature of E Sreedharan might draw up the BJPs vote share a few notches. The UDF might find a challenge in the vote share since the candidature of E Sreedharan might draw up the BJPs vote share by a few margins.

Shafi Parambil

Chittur constituency which shares a border with Tamil Nadu is another seat that is likely to witness a tight contest LDF and UDF. K Krishnan Kutty who was a UDF ally in earlier polls, but won 2016 assembly election in the LDF banner. Tamil votes will be a crucial factor in the upcoming polls because of its lion’s share in Chittur.  

According to recent surveys, the UDF camp is likely to win 7 out of the 12 seats in Palakkad district while LDF would be able to bag 5 seats only. UDF’s V T Balram’s tight fight with LDF’s MB Rajesh would be another factor that grabs the attention of Kerala electoral politics. The promise of the prosperous state as put forward by the present government is yet to receive complete realisation in the district. This will decide its fate.

Also read:UDF eyes Malappuram to win Kerala